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Parade organizers hope for large crowd to support HHS graduates

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Organizers of this year’s Senior Car Parade are encouraging Hopkinton residents to come out on Saturday to cheer on the class of 2026.

“It’s a simple event that causes a tremendous amount of joy,” said Allison Murphy, one of the parade’s co-chairs.

The parade, now a tradition for graduating Hopkinton High School seniors, began in 2020. While it has had some pushback over the years, Murphy said that the event is a valuable experience for the graduates.

“It’s a very low-cost event for a high yield,” she added.

So far, 180 students have signed up to ride in the parade. Murphy anticipated total signups between 220-250 — about 75% of the graduates. She clarified that the students will ride with someone else who will handle the driving, and all drivers will be over the age of 18.

The seniors will decorate their cars and go on a 2.4-mile loop around town on Saturday following Friday’s graduation. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Hopkinton High School. Cars will enter onto Hayden Rowe Street, turning right onto Park Street and then Ash Street. The parade will continue down Ash Street before turning right onto Chestnut Street, then right again back onto Hayden Rowe Street and returning to the high school.

“We hope to line the streets with people to cheer them on,” Murphy said. She also credited the event’s sponsors for their support, including the Hopkinton Community Partnership, MyFM101.3 and the Marathon Committee.

Murphy said the car parade will be a surreal moment for her, as her last child graduates from HHS this week. The parade also will be her last volunteer responsibility of a parent in the school system.

“We’re glad to have kept the tradition going, because it takes people’s time and effort to coordinate school events,” Murphy added.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

Hopkinton High School softball dominated in its first postseason game over visiting Plymouth North on Sunday and the boys and girls track teams placed high in the Division 2 state meet over the weekend.

The School Committee on Thursday heard from the Hopkinton Trails Committee regarding construction plans for shared use paths that would provide students walkable routes to the schools.

Superintendent Evan Bishop told the School Committee on Thursday that he is seeking input from families and community members regarding school transportation and start times.

The Parks & Recreation Commission discussed options for Pyne Field Thursday night following a vote at Annual Town Meeting to repurpose design funds for the project.

A.F. Amorello & Sons has delayed work on parts of Main Street and Marathon Way, according to the latest Main Street Corridor Project update.

MassDOT will close a ramp at the I-90/I-495 interchange in Hopkinton Thursday night for construction operations.

Town meetings tonight include the Sustainable Green Committee (6), Woodville Historic District Commission (6), Board of Health (6) and Planning Board (7).

Photo of the Day

A pink rhododendron provides a burst of color in a yard on Church Street.

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR